Sikorsky, Boeing Selected to Develop 'Digital Backbone' for FVL Program

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. [NYSE: UTX] have been selected to help develop the Joint Common Architecture (JCA) standard for the U.S. Army’s Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Science and Technology program, an element of the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) initiative.

The Technology Investment Agreement was awarded by the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate on June 30.

“The Army considers the JCA to be the ‘digital backbone’ through which mission systems will be seamlessly integrated into the FVL system’s design,” said Samir Mehta, president of Sikorsky Defense Systems & Services. “This is a key component of FVL, and we look forward to providing solutions to support the Army’s efforts. Our solution will help bring efficiency to future rotorcraft platforms.”

“Boeing and Sikorsky bring unparalleled expertise and experience in meeting the needs of Army Aviation,” said David Koopersmith, Boeing vice president and general manager of Vertical Lift programs. “As partners in the JCA and the JMR Technology Demonstrator program, our team combines the best that industry has to offer.”

The JMR TD program supports the U.S. Army’s FVL initiative to deliver the next generation of vertical lift utility and attack aircraft. The Sikorsky-Boeing proposal, the SB>1 Defiant, is based on Sikorsky’s X2 Technology™ rotorcraft design with counter-rotating coaxial main rotors, a pusher propeller and advanced fly-by-wire system. The Army is expected to select from among four teams at the end of July to proceed with the development of demonstration aircraft, which will fly in 2017.